TN Assembly row over Madurai property tax scam, local bodies’ cooperation

A heated exchange broke out in the Tamil Nadu Assembly after Minister Aadav Arjuna alleged that DMK mayors and heads of municipalities and town panchayats were not cooperating with the current government. The remarks came during a discussion that also focused on alleged property tax-related irregularities in the Madurai Corporation.

During the debate, Thangapandi (TAVEKA) claimed that a Rs 200-crore scam linked to property tax had taken place in Madurai Corporation during the previous regime. DMK leader K.N. Nehru responded that action had been taken during the DMK’s tenure, stating that five officials, the mayor and five zonal chairpersons were removed, and that the case is now before a court.

Aadav Arjuna said the Madurai Corporation was “steeped in corruption” and claimed that after public protests, the mayor’s husband was arrested and the mayor resigned. He further alleged that corruption had occurred across corporations and said details would be revealed soon.

Minister Nirmalkumar said more than 60,000 commercial buildings in Madurai had not been properly assessed, pointing to mismatches between electricity connections marked as commercial use and property tax classifications. He said revaluation had been under way for the past two months and that a similar exercise would be taken up in Chennai, adding that those responsible would not escape.

Aadav Arjuna also linked the issue to civic administration, saying women in many places still struggle for water and that the government has not been able to ensure piped water to homes. He noted that 25 corporations, municipalities and town panchayats are still under the DMK, and claimed that while power has changed at the state level, it has not changed in the local bodies department. He said local body elections are expected in six months and claimed his party would win 90%, after which evidence related to corruption would come out. Nehru countered that after TAVEKA came to power, works for which funds were allotted in corporations, municipalities and town panchayats had been halted, and added that if a mayor does not implement government schemes, the commissioner can do so.